History of Narcissistic personality disorder in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 30, 2024

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder marked by an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Individuals with NPD often exhibit an exaggerated belief in their own superiority and a preoccupation with fantasies of success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. This condition significantly impairs their ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, and they are prone to feelings of entitlement, exploitativeness, and envy. NPD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions and can lead to substantial difficulties in social, occupational, and personal functioning. While NPD can manifest in varying degrees, persistent patterns of these traits typically begin by early adulthood and are present across diverse life contexts.

1925: Robert Waelder's Description of Narcissistic Personality

Robert Waelder first described narcissistic personality in 1925.

1938: Introduction of Narcissistic Supply

In 1938, Otto Fenichel introduced the concept of narcissistic supply, referring to the admiration, support, or sustenance a person derives from their environment to maintain self-esteem. This term often carries a negative connotation, implying a pathological need for attention or admiration without regard for others.

1946: Otto Fenichel on Narcissistic Injury and Regression

In "The Psychoanalytic Theory of Neurosis" (1946), Otto Fenichel proposed that adults who respond to narcissistic injury with denial might regress to childhood megalomania.

1957: Edmund Bergler on Megalomania and Gambling

In 1957, Edmund Bergler suggested in "The Psychology of Gambling" that megalomania, a normal childhood occurrence, could be reactivated in adults through gambling.

1964: Erich Fromm's Concept of Malignant Narcissism

Erich Fromm first coined the term "malignant narcissism" in his 1964 book "The Heart of Man". It combines NPD with antisocial, paranoid traits, and is characterized by increased psychological gratification from accomplishments, potentially leading to further personality disorders.

1968: Heinz Kohut Coins the Term NPD

Heinz Kohut coined the term "narcissistic personality disorder" (NPD) in 1968.

1972: Introduction of Narcissistic Rage

Heinz Kohut introduced the concept of narcissistic rage in 1972. He theorized it as a reaction to perceived threats to a narcissist's self-esteem, ranging from aloofness and irritation to severe outbursts and violence.

1979: Development of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory

The narcissistic personality inventory, an assessment tool for NPD, was initially developed in 1979.

1984: Revision of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory

The narcissistic personality inventory was revised in 1984.

1989: Glen Gabbard's Subtypes of NPD

In 1989, Glen Gabbard introduced two subtypes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD): the "oblivious" subtype (grandiose) characterized by grandiosity, arrogance, and thick-skinned nature, and a second subtype exhibiting traits of helplessness, emotional emptiness, low self-esteem, and shame, leading to socially avoidant behaviors.

1993: James F. Masterson's Subtypes of Pathological Narcissism

In 1993, James F. Masterson proposed two subtypes of pathological narcissism: exhibitionist and closet. Both subtypes are characterized by inadequate self-development due to flawed psychological nurturing. Exhibitionist narcissism aligns with DSM-IV's NPD, presenting inflated self-perception, while closet narcissism involves a deflated self-perception and a need for external approval.

1996: Theodore Millon's Five Subtypes of NPD

In 1996, Theodore Millon proposed five subtypes of NPD in his study "Disorders of Personality: DSM-IV-TM and Beyond", although specific treatments per subtype were not identified.

2000: Criticism of NPD Definition in DSM-IV-TR

In 2000, the American Psychiatric Association's definition of NPD in the DSM-IV-TR drew criticism for its focus on external behaviors rather than internal complexity and individual suffering, limiting its clinical usefulness.

2006: Revision of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory

The narcissistic personality inventory was revised in 2006.

2008: Lifetime Prevalence of NPD under DSM-IV

In 2008, under DSM-IV, the lifetime prevalence of NPD was estimated at 6.2%, with 7.7% for men and 4.8% for women.

2009: Svenn Torgersen's Review on Genetic Confounding

Psychologist Svenn Torgersen explained the problem of genetic confounding in a 2009 review.

2011: Narcissism as a Personality Dimension

A 2011 study proposed that narcissism should be viewed as a personality dimension relevant to all personality disorders, rather than a separate category.

2012: Nosological Inconsistency of NPD

A 2012 literature review concluded that NPD exhibits nosological inconsistency and suggested further research into narcissism as a trait domain.

2013: Definition of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI)

The Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory (FFNI) was defined in 2013 as a tool to assess grandiose and vulnerable expressions of trait narcissism. It measures 11 traits of grandiose and 4 of vulnerable narcissism, correlating with clinical NPD ratings.

2013: Controversy over NPD in DSM-5

The proposed removal of Narcissistic Personality Disorder from the DSM-5 in 2013 sparked a heated debate in the clinical community. John Gunderson, who led the DSM-IV personality disorders committee, was among the most vocal critics of this recommendation.

2014: Revision of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory

The narcissistic personality inventory was revised in 2014.

2015: Confirmation of Gender Difference in NPD Prevalence

A 2015 study confirmed the gender difference in NPD prevalence.

2015: Study on Gray Matter Volume in NPD

A 2015 study linked NPD with reduced gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex, impacting empathy and emotional regulation.

2018: Twin Studies on NPD

A 2018 review of twin studies on NPD indicated minimal influence from shared environment, with major contributions from genes and non-shared environment.

2018: DSM-5 NPD Criteria and Subclinical Narcissism

A 2018 study indicated that the DSM-5 criteria for NPD might not effectively differentiate certain aspects of narcissism relevant to diagnosing NPD and subclinical narcissism.

2020: NPD and BPD: Shared Properties and Research Trends

A 2020 study highlighted shared properties between Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), including social stigma and unclear causes and prevalence rates. The study suggested NPD research might follow a similar trajectory to BPD research, which has seen significant advancements in understanding and treatment in recent decades.

2020: Gender Differences in Vulnerable Narcissism

A 2020 study revealed that females scored higher on vulnerable narcissism than males, but no gender differences were found for grandiose narcissism.

2020: Treatment of NPD

As of 2020, no specific treatment guidelines or empirical studies existed for NPD. Medications like antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics are sometimes prescribed to manage symptoms.